Kazbah

Although I've visited the new Top Ryde shopping center many a times, I hardly head to the La Piazza eating precinct which is located on the upper floor, close to the cinemas.

There are so many restaurants there now, Thai, Asian, cafes and the famed Hurricane's restaurant.  On this Sunday afternoon, my friend and I decided to meet at Kazbah for lunch.  While waiting, I walked around the quadrangle and it was obvious that Kazbah was by far the busiest of the lot, the restaurant was busy with most of the tables filled.

Kazbah, an "Arabian" restaurant micro-chain featuring food from Morocco, Lebanon, Turkey, Iran and more has expanded over the past few years.  Starting from their initial outlet in Balmain, it now has outlets in Darling Harbour and has recently opened in the Top Ryde shopping center.  It is a good choice as it caters to the demographics of the surrounding areas.

 The restaurant is decorated in Moroccan style with lamps hanging down from the ceiling.  The menu itself is varied with Breakfast being served until about 3pm.  There is so much to pick from - there is also a lunch special of two courses and a glass of wine for $35 per person.  Hmm... too many choices and what to have as they all look good!

Kazbah offers one of the best breakfast food in Sydney as is evidenced from the menu and I decided to try their scrambled eggs with mushroom while my friend had the eggs benedict.  The food came very quickly... The scrambled eggs were not the runny eggs as I was used to and would have preferred but these were nice as well accompanied by the mushrooms. 

I wish there were more of us to share as across from where we were sitting, a group was having their banquet menu and the food looked great!!

Definitely a place to revisit.

Quick Vietnamese fix

Once again... I hardly try the restaurants in my neighbourhood but I was in Epping two weekends in a row as I was running out of places to go for lunch.  The development in Rawson Street completed a few years ago is now filled with quite a few restaurants and grocery shop.

I read about this Vietnamese restaurant (Genesis Vietnamese Cuisine) in the local papers and decided to give it a try.  This restaurant is only small and again probably sit about 20.  However, there is also a table outside for those who appreciate the sun and al-freso dining.  This again is a family owned business and as the place is quite small the kitchen itself is small - I wonder how they manage to do their cooking...

This must be quite a popular place as it was quite full when I went with only a table left.  A lot of people ordered the Pho and I decided to try the Beef Pho and the Fried Chicken Noodle soup.  

The Beef Pho had a nice broth.  My only disappointment was that the bean sprouts and the various herbs were not served on a separate plate like in most places but the bean sprouts were cooked in the soup itself.  Having said that the beef noodle was quite tasty.

The Fried Chicken Noodle soup was not too bad as well.  The chicken was nicely fried and the clear soup had a "sweetness" to it.

All in all, not a bad option for someone wanting to get a quick Vietnamese fix without having to venture afar.

ps... oh... avoid the Vietnamese spring roll...I didn't quite like the filling... 

Penang cuisine restaurant

I don't usually visit the restaurants in my neighbourhood... no particular reason for this but having passed by this small restaurant the other day, I thought I'd give it a go.  The restaurant is "tucked" away in a corner, under some stairs in Rawson Street and below the residential block.  I went there after church one Sunday and it appears that this is also a regular haunt for a few of the church members.

The menu is quite varied.  This is a family owned business, the chef (father) hails from Bukit Mertajam and is assisted by his daughter.  This is only a small restaurant and could comfortably sit about 20 people.

Nasi Lemak

There is a "special" during the weekends and it rotates each weekend.  This weekend, the special was Nasi Lemak which we decided to order. 

I must say the nasi lemak lacked a bit of oomphh... and the sambal prawns was just "so-so". The dish itself was not quite "hot" temperature wise - I thought the rice was a bit lukewarm.  The chicken curry itself lacked a bit of body and the kick.

I then ordered the Wa Tan Hor - which looked appetising but sad to say, it was not very tasty.  I think I'm not used to having "corn" in my Wa Tan Hor...

I think there are other restaurants which tasted better in the vicinity and for the portions I think this place is a bit on the pricey side in terms of value for money.